[Golfer]

I think they're all big, as we only get 12.

Northern Illinois finished just outside of the top 25 last year. Anyone have their head around how good they're supposed to be in 2012?

I see they have four kids that are playing, or have played in all-star games, but I'm not sure how many kids they lost from a pretty decent team last year.

[JohnstonHawkeye]

Originally Posted by Golfer

I think they're all big, as we only get 12.

Northern Illinois finished just outside of the top 25 last year. Anyone have their head around how good they're supposed to be in 2012?

I see they have four kids that are playing, or have played in all-star games, but I'm not sure how many kids they lost from a pretty decent team last year.

They lose 9 starters on offense, only returnees are 1 wr and 1 ol, on defense they lose 2 starters, olb and mlb. Look to be challenged offensively which will be good for the Hawks

[JonDMiller]

I don't know that there are too many gimmees on the schedule next year.

[Smarthawk]

Jon...probably no gimmes but the sked is certainly favorable. We will be favored in the first 5 games and we should probably win all of them. The only games we won't be favored in are @ Michigan, @ MSU, Nebraska at home and maybe Penn State at home. If we beat the teams we should beat and split the rest, 8-4, 9-3 is very possible. I will surprised with another 7-5.

[clim33]

I think it is a huge game next year. Can we come out and show some ability to run the football on offense and stop the run on Defense. Our season will be predicted in the ability to do those things I think. Can we dominate a team in the trenches on both sides of the ball? If we can't we may well be in touble..........

I hope we run for 200 yards total among 3 or 4 RBs and one shows they should be the lead dog. I also hope some combination of DL shows some signs of ability to keep the LBs clean.

[BSpringsteen]

Originally Posted by JonDMiller

I don't know that there are too many gimmees on the schedule next year.

I agree with this
But, if we lose to Northern
we've got big problems

[Golfer]

I'm not sure we would have beat NIU in 2011-2012. They were almost a top 25 team, we weren't. I guess there was a pretty big drop off, and has been for several seasons now, after 1-4 though, so who really knows?

[hawkfan1319]

I wouldn't predict any games until we have a complete staff.

[uihawk82]

Originally Posted by hawkfan1319

I wouldn't predict any games until we have a complete staff.

^this.
NIU of course is first game with two new coordinators so big questions as to how in synch all the parts will be. If very little scheme changes then hawks could do well.

I like hawk defense going against a lot of new NIU offensive starters as at least weaker parts against each other.

How good was NIU's defense last year?

[iahawks912]

I know they are losing a very good qb, a 4 year starter.

[HawkeyeMcNutt]

We'll know more about this when fall camp starts.. A lot left to happen here until August.

[ChosenChildren]

6-6 or 7-5 will be a great year. This game needs to be one of those Ws

[BSpringsteen]

Originally Posted by ChosenChildren

6-6 or 7-5 will be a great year. This game needs to be one of those Ws

Wha Wha Wha? I thought
James was All Big 10 QB
unstoppable O.

[trj]

NIU is a neutral site game, but you have ISU, UNI, Central Mich. and Minnesota for the rest of September if the talent depletion is such that a 3-2 start is the best we can expect........man, next year will be frustrating to watch.

[JHHawk]

Iowa 38 NIU 13

Chandler Harnish was their programs all time top qb...he just got invited to the combine and was at the Senior Bowl....so they start over,now.

Iowa's offense will be very good,altho early sputtering is possible...hence only 38 points..could be more.